Bibliography
| Title: The Nature of Authoritative Evidence in Polybius and Agelaus' Speech at Naupactus Volume: 127 Pages: 111-128 Type: Journal Article Year: 1997 Abstract: Champion writes that Agelaus? speech introduced symploke into Polybius? Histories, the moment when ?the affairs of east and west became inextricably intertwined?. A study of the speech itself, the point of no return, and the character of Philip of Macedon will illuminate what Polybius considered authoritative evidence.
Polybius writes that the historian must record the spoken word, that he must refrain from embellishing the truth as tragic poets do, and that he must choose ?the most suitable arguments for his historical agents? speeches?. According to Champion, this means that Polybius chose the most significant parts of these speeches and that what was written in his Histories was not verbatim the speech of the historical figure. He also believes that Polybius, because he separated deliberative speeches, exhortations, and ambassadors? speeches means that there was a focus on oral transmission of information over contemporary written texts. Champion emphasizes that Polybius lived in a ?semi-oral predominantly non-literate society? and that the value placed on oral information was in fact higher than that of written texts. Part of the reason Polybius so vehemently attacked Timaeus throughout his text was because the latter was responding to written subjects and not using any personal experience. Thus, the historian is better able to convey the intention of a historical speech than the exactness of one.
The way Polybius represents Philip V in Agelaus? speech is indicative of this use of historical speeches in the Histories to show intent rather than accuracy. It is also why Polybius is so careful to outline why his characterizations of historical figures are more precise than are those of other authors. He gave accounts of their actions before drawing these conclusions, emphasizing his preference for empirical knowledge and oral diffusion of information. Polybius also generalizes based on stereotyped ethnic identities to comprehend why specific persons in the Histories think and act as they do.
Champion concludes that Polybius believed in his authority because of his own empirical knowledge, interviews with witnesses, and ?extensive knowledge of the arts and politics of war?. Keywords: evidence, oral, Naupactus, symploke, historical speeches, historian, empirical, credibility, stereotype, Macedonia, Philip V, Agelaus, Aratus, Demetrius, ethnic, monarchy, selection |